Reza Kahlili reported Friday 25 that there had been an underground explosion at the secret Fordo nuclear enrichment facility in Iran. The details included the closure of a major roadway nearby following the event. The report also mentioned many technicians trapped underground, perhaps more than 200. Reza Kahlili and I then discussed the report earlier in the week of an emergency meeting in Ahmadinejad's office in Tehran. We reported on Wednesday evening 23 January that the meeting in Tehran was in anticipation of a covert operation by Israel or the US at Iranian nuke facilities. But then on Friday we reasoned that perhaps the meeting on Tuesday was to assess the damage of the explosion. We spoke at length at approximately 18:40 of the Friday 25 January podcast.

What Happened Next.

A number of European and Israeli publications reported on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 that Reza Kahlili had reported a Fordo explosion. The most significant of these reports was the Die Welt report on Saturday. I am told that Die Welt is associated with intelligence, and it is fair to assume that the entry is a confirmation. Then again, the London Times reported in its Monday 28 edition the same explosion. This report mentioned the Israeli government as well as "Israeli intelligence." I am told that the London Times is associated with significant intelligence sources. How to interpret these reports? The intelligence analysts have moved collaboratively in order to confirm Reza Kahlili's report.

Interestingly enough, midweek there was news out of Israel that they were no longer doing planning for a preemptive attack on Iran if it became necessary. Coincidence, confirmation, or blame deflector?

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